OMEGA DOS in Palma on the 22nd July. This craft and another larger one called OMEGA UNO are based in Palma and act as royal escorts to the royal yacht or any of the vessels that the spanish royal family wish to board when they have their anual holiday on the island.

Tugster, ADUANAS does mean Customs and the launch you took is the ARAO. As for the Rio Mino (her name is RIO MIÑO) , she was onverted for use round the Canary Island which is a hot spot for illegal immigration and smuggling. The larger craft means that she can patrol a wider area. A new patrol vessel of similar size is being built.

David, the Y584 is a personnel / harbour launch based on the US LCPL launches. Y556 is definetly a pilot launch.

...and a little bit more... ADUANAS is the common name to denote Customs, but they also use the initials SVA which mean Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera, in other words, Customs Surveillance. They come under the Minister for the Economy and Finance and represent the Spanish Royal Treasury in the tasks they carry out against fiscal fraud, contraband etc., thus the two "H" on the flag with two Crowns on top:

Crest:

The land-based element tend work in civvy clothes and are not easily recognisable unless they are in one of their vehicles, and even then these tend to be unmarked. What the public generally sees are the launches and the air support. There are unconfirmed rumours that when at sea, they appear to be in "competition" with the Maritime element of the Guardia Civil when "joint" chases of smuggling craft are carried out. Obviously what is meant here are coastal chases as the GC does not have jurisdiction at the limits of Spanish Territorial Waters and beyond in International Waters. Besides, the latter do not have sea going vessels like the SVA. The SVA launches are all painted a dark blue with a light blue sash with the crest superimposed.

Francis - No promises on obtaining the right results, but promise to do my best to get it!

David, this launch is one of two launches paid for by the department of fisheries, agriculture etc of the Government of the Canary Is for the Guardia Civil. They were built in 1999 and are known as the Rodman 55HJ Canarias. The two ships are TINECHEYDE M 15 (EB4712) and ALMIRANTE DIAZ PIMIENTA M 16 (EB4713). They are 17.4m X 3.8m X 2.1m and have a displacement of 20t. Maximum speed is 40 knots. Unfortunately both launches are identical so I dont know which one of the two is this one.

Off Europa Point - 230211: Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera (SVA) Launch AGUILA IV : This is a RODMAN 55HJ (Cormoran Class) High Speed Interception Boat (in excess of 55 kts). Was seen by Daniel earlier on in the morning, towing another SVA launch in an Easterly direction ,apparently going for scrap. When I arrived at the viewing point, the launch had returned and had already passed below me and was making its way to Algeciras. note the number of antennae...

Francis - No promises on obtaining the right results, but promise to do my best to get it!

BAY OF GIBRALTAR ( at 5 miles distance!) - 150311: The Daddy of all Guardia Civil vessels: RIO SEGURA C 452 (IMO 9561174). Based in the Cadiz area with a remit to patrol from the border with Portugal to approximately the Island of Alboran with particualr emphasis on the Strait. At present it is the only vessel of its kind, and it is not known whether any more will be procured. Its arrival has sparked off a few tiffs with the Navy and SVA, but more so with the Navy. The Guardia Civil smugly argue that the cost of the vessel is somewhere around €15m, which is one third of a similar vessel for the Navy! Of course, they don't [want to] take into account that the warship would have more sophisticated equipment of all kinds, thus upping the overall price per unit. Another rub is the fact that this vessel is to be multi-used, that is, it will carry out surveillance, interception of narco-traffickers, interception of illegal immigrants, enforcement of maritime law and rescue. In the latter role, she can accomodate no less than 80 persons on the deck. There is also provision for 8 prisoners in 4x2 cells!
A helicopter landing pad is also incorporated but no hangar.

It is based in Cadiz, where a new HQ has been established. It is thought that the area of operation will no doubt be extended to beyond Spanish Territorial Waters and that this vessel, will no doubt be making some patrols extending down to the Canary Islands and possibly up to Cartagena . Perhaps also it will double up as a mother-ship for smaller but faster units including the SIVE craft, in between these areas. At some point also, if it has not had installed already, the use of onboard SIVE.

Arriving off Punta Carnero...

Approaching the outer harbour of Algeciras...

Francis - No promises on obtaining the right results, but promise to do my best to get it!

Thanks TE! Instead of friendly rivalry it has become a more serious matter (quite apart from pride!) because the Guardia Civil, Policia Nacional, SVA and Municipal (or local) Police all enjoy different rates of pay! This is a very sore point not helped by the fact that when you try to equate ranks, again it proves you can equate the chevrons and the pips but certainly not the equivalent pay! Just add a dose of a new batch of vehicles or vessels or equipment, and those who get it sing, whilst the others howl!

Regards

Francis

Francis - No promises on obtaining the right results, but promise to do my best to get it!

BAY OF GIBRALTAR - 240711: SPS VIGIA P73 made an appearance yesterday morning around the time that HM Ships RICHMOND and IRON DUKE were due to leave Gibraltar. The latter ships had hosted an onboard visit by the Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox MP, and thus their ETD had been pushed slightly back. The VIGIA entered the Bay keeping well to the Spanish coast and cruised up to the Northern end ; thereafter she exited the Bay at a very slow speed keeping to the median line. As soon as she reached a point opposite Camp Bay, she gathered speed and appeared to be heading towards Ceuta..

Are the Spanish really that cretinous, sad and delusionary.
We all hear of their Gib claims (howls of laughter and derision are emanating from this computer operator), whilst nothing is mentioned of their N African enclaves, double standards and theft of trillions from the EEC coffers.

I have read a piece lately that in WW2, there were serious concerns that Spain could block the Straits of Gibraltar, in support of the Axis cause.
Have you ever heard such nonsense.

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